Obviously, the Philadelphia Flyers are in a more comfortable spot today than they were around this time last year. Yet in an odd way, last season’s team might have had more confidence – or at least more momentum – even though they were fighting for their playoff lives while the 2010-11 edition have been a sure thing for quite some time.

With a mediocre 3-4-3 mark in their last 10 games and losses in 13 of their last 19, the Flyers keep meandering through the last days of the regular season, a slump that will likely force them out of the top seed in the East. They might even lose their grasp on the Atlantic Division title, too, because the Pittsburgh Penguins only trail them by one point with both teams having two games left. (Although the Flyers hold the tiebreaker advantage, so it’s more like a two point lead.)

“Paul Holmgren can be a scary guy,” said Scott Hartnell. “Especially, when he gives you that look.”

This post’s main image provides a great example of “that look” even if it was proudly more intense since cameras weren’t focused on his face. (It’s OK if you flashed back to your worst P.E./high school sports memories because of that photo, by the way.)

Veteran defenseman Sean O’Donnell gave a more descriptive explanation of the meeting, though.

“It was productive,” Sean O’Donnell said. “Everyone wants to get on the right page. This is a game, but it is also a business. They’ve invested a lot in this team and we have a good team here.

“We have all the pieces. It’s a matter of getting everyone on the right page to go through a run here in April, May and June. It was very productive. It wasn’t bad or calling anyone out, it was, ‘guys let’s wake up here.’ ”

Obviously, being properly motivated will be important to Philadelphia’s success, so don’t be surprised if they play better hockey in the playoffs. At the same time, they cannot assume that they can take a “light switch” approach to preparing for the big games.

Then again, the most obvious way to improve is to add Chris Pronger back into the mix, though. Panaccio reports that Pronger still isn’t sure if he will be ready for the team’s first playoff game, but also seemed to be in a jovial mood today.

If opposing teams know anything, it’s that a happy Pronger often means an unhappy opponent. In a way, it’s the opposite of “that look” from Holmgren.

The three point game is a travesty. The Pengoons are 7-13-6 in their past 26 games if shootouts are ties. Can we please stop the illusion that they’re playing well? March in the NHL has turned into 1990s Devils hockey until the OT period as both teams wants the charity point.